2024 September Board Book

Primarily funded by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), CDRF partners with other dairy industry organizations and seeks project co-funding wherever applicable to maximize funding and research investment opportunities. This year, we have partnered in funding with Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), Dairy Council of California (DCC), the International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC), the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), Sustainable Conservation, and others in research initiatives. These collaborations are crucial in ensuring that our research is comprehensive, cutting edge, and beneficial to the entire dairy industry. Our largest collaborative initiative in 2023 by far was the implementation of the ‘Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Grant,’ awarded to CDRF and others (CDFA, UC Regents, DairyCares, and other industry organizations) by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The largest component of the grant award is for the implementation of the Dairy PLUS Program. In partnership with CDFA, the program offers incentive funds to producers for the adoption of advanced manure management practices in conjunction with a past or present Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) or Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP) grant award. Dairy PLUS Program projects must reduce methane emissions and address nutrient surplus. This year’s round of applications is due late fall (see Page 16); if you are seeking more information about the Dairy PLUS Program, see our website at www.cdrf.org. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to continue supporting our industry with a robust scientific education and research portfolio. We are proud to present this Annual Report on our 2023-2024 scope of work, which highlights our recently completed projects and provides an overview of the many projects currently in progress. We look forward to your feedback and continued partnership as we work together to achieve our strategic goals. Sincerely,

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Josh Zonneveld, Chairman Jared Fernandes, Vice Chairman Dante Migliazzo, Treasurer Chuck Ahlem, Secretary John Talbot Darrin Monteiro Sietse ‘Sean’ Tollenaar Michelle Slimko, DrPH, RD

CONTACT US Denise Mullinax, Executive Director mullinax@cdrf.org

Kevin Comerford, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer kbcomerford@cdrf.org Kimberly Yarris, Executive Administrator yarris@cdrf.org

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